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Bulletin Reflection

In Praise of Simple Things.

Alice Camille

Things are better when we take care of one another. Things grow worse if we don’t. That is nowhere truer than in families. Loving and purposeful families grow together and yield abundant dividends in loyalty, mutual encouragement, and assured welfare. Careless, neglectful, or abusive families reap sorrow and hostility that winds through the years and spreads the malignancy further.

What’s true for the microcosm tends to be magnified in the macrocosm. Communities that care for their weaker members thrive in peace and well-being. Communities cut off from the fate of their disadvantaged ones will harvest division, unrest, and violence. Follow this simple formula through a single nation, or the league of nations, and its veracity continues to prove out. Hebrew prophecy proposed an answer as simple as the problem: Share your bread. Shelter your homeless. Clothe the naked. Don’t turn your back on your own. The nation that cares for its afflicted will be a beacon to the world. And woe to the nation that doesn’t. Even in midday, the gloom that it sows will overtake it.

Jesus is also a fan of simplicity. “Love one another” is a great rule to live by. So is forgiving our trespassers, and being not afraid. If we practiced those three—love, forgiveness, courage—we’d have marvelous, radiant lives. We’d find our hearts curiously free of obstacles to becoming the people we want to be, happy and fulfilled. We’d also supply the salt to our communities so that everyone around us would lead richer lives simply because they know us, harvest our love, and are illumined by our example. When we live in the light and become the light ourselves, we discover our true purpose.

Saint Paul understood that when he made his startling resolution to keep his gospel plain and simple. It wasn’t instinctive for him. Paul was a scholar: Pharisee-trained to delve into the webbed intricacies of law and celebrating the fine print in every legislated aspect of life. Living in Hellenist society, he appreciated that wisdom teachers were supposed to show off their learning to garner impressed crowds. Paul could have done that. Yet he kept Christianity simple. He stayed close to the cross.

Many prefer to multiply the requirements of faith, make salvation a Mt. Everest of expectations to climb, make heaven itself the land of Unobtainia. Christ, Paul said, opened a door through which this whole sinful world may pass. That’s it. No circumcision, no sacrifices, no umpteen Deuteronomic regulations to keep. Salvation is achieved, and it’s yours: Only reach out and take it! Is living according to our true purpose a challenge we are ready to embrace?

Announcements

REDEMPTORIST “COME AND SEE” VOCATION WEEKEND Friday, February 25, 2011 – Sunday, February 27, 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK If you’re between the ages of 18-35, and wondering if God might be calling you to be a priest or brother in the Redemptorist Congregation and live a life of community, compassion, evangelization, and mission, then come discern with us. Take a chance! For more information about this Retreat opportunity, or to register online, visit: www.plugintochrist.ca. Please Register by February 4, 2011. To learn about our community, mission, and call to evangelization, see our website, or contact Fr. Santo Arrigo C.Ss.R., vocations@redemptorists.ca, or (416) 593-6520.

SERVE is an opportunity for 6 young men and women (age 18-30) to deepen their Christian Faith through fostering a sense of mission, service, prayer and spirituality in a Christian Community rooted in the Spirituality of St. Alphonsus Liguori and the Redemptorist Charism. Through common prayer, community living, spiritual formation, opportunities for service in social agencies in Toronto, Eucharist, discussion and social activities, participants will discover Christ in themselves and learn how to bring Christ to others. Bursary available upon completion of the program. Applications and information can be found online at www.plugintochrist.ca . Deadline for Applications and References to be received is MARCH 1, 2011.

Your Funny Valentine: St. Philip’s parish, 1902 Munroe Ave., Saskatoon, presents an evening of good clean comedy, magic, improvisation, skits, etc. on Feb. 12, 2011. Cost is $25, which includes appetizers. There is a cash bar. For tickets call the parish office, 343-0325.

SODALITAS: Are you grieving and suffering the loss of a loved one?

Join us for SODALITAS; a safe caring group for reflecting and sharing for those who are experiencing grief. Our next meeting is Saturday, February 12 at 10:00AM in the upper room of St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Topic: GRIEF—A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY.

Congress Day with the Bishop: For the Saskatoon City, Saskatoon Rural, and Outlook deaneries: The Congress Day with Bishop Don Bolen will be held 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 12 at Bethlehem High School in Saskatoon. Topics of discussion will include the liturgy and preparing for the new translation of prayers for Mass, the evangelization priority of the Rooted in Christ Diocesan Vision, and the diocesan policy for protection of vulnerable persons. To pre-register (no cost, but numbers are needed for lunch) call Marci at 242-1500, toll free: 1-877-661-5005, Ext. 222 or e-mail: foundations@saskatoonrcdiocese.com

ST GEORGES SENIORS CLUB is having a Valentine’s Day social on Wednesday, February 9 from 1:00pm—5:00pm. Everybody is welcome to attend. The cost for this event is $5.00 for members and $7.00 for non-members and includes lunch.

The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Inc. is please to invite you to our 11th annual ‘Swing Into Spring’ Fashion Show & Dinner on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at TCU Place. This enjoyable evening includes a buffet dinner, draws for door prizes including diamond jewellery, a VIP table, over 100 other draws and the latest in ladies’ and men’s fashions modelled by employees of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. Early Bird tickets are $60.00 until February 28, 2011. Beginning March 1, 2011 tickets are $70.00. Tickets are available from the Foundation office at 659-7003. Please see the poster in the Welcome Area for full details.

ST. MARY’S CWL – Our first meeting of 2011 included the installation of officers, elected last fall for a two-year term. Last week’s bulletin listed the names and executive positions. PLEASE NOTE ERROR Molly Garchinski looks after funeral lunches not catering as listed. This is an appointed position by the CWL and not an elected one.

Notes from our diocesan mission in Brazil: Sr. Louise Hinz, osu writes from Maceió: In Brazil, the daily newscasts in January were much occupied with the terrible floods which occurred in the state of Rio. There were an estimated 1000 deaths, in addition to the loss of homes and the vast destruction of property and crops. The hearts of the people of our Brazil mission area went out to those devastated by these recent floods and mudslides.

Healing the Pain of Abortion; A Weekend Retreat by Rachel’s Vineyard. A psychological and spiritual journey for healing after abortion. Rachel’s Vineyard is now accepting registrations for our Spring retreat on April 1-3, 2011. Please email r.vineyardsk@sasktel.net or call 1-306-480-8911 for registration information. The weekend begins on Friday evening and concludes late Sunday afternoon. The Registration fee is $200.00 which includes lodging for two nights, meals and materials. For those needing financial assistance, sponsorship is available.

Home Ministry of Care

Useful Tips for Visiting the Sick cont’d

You Don’t Need the Right Answer

A person who is ill or lonely may ask, “Why me?”. As visitors we often feel we are supposed to have an answer, one that will make the person “feel better”. But the familiar clichés we sometimes use can do more harm than good.

The ill person isn’t necessarily looking for an answer but is expressing his or her anxiety. So the best thing for us to do is repeat the question in our own words, indicating that you understand. For example, “I see you’re really troubled by this” is a more helpful response than saying something unsuitable such as “God is testing you”. “Being there” is what is important, not trying to “fix things” with words.

VOLUNTEERS MARK YOUR CANENDARS: Home Ministry of Care Inservice is scheduled for February 23rd at 5:00pm. More details next week.

Youth Ministry

STEPS AND A MOVIE! If you are currently in grades 6,7 or 8 then this is for you! Steps in Faith is a diocesan supported program in which early adolescents have the opportunity to learn more about their faith. It is a crucial component in the life long faith journey we all are on. The program will answer common questions and concerns during these very important forming years. Steps in Faith is composed of four different components: 1)the Creed 2)Service 3)Retreat 4) Reaffirmation of faith – all of which will take place within the next year. A spring youth rally, with Bishop Bolen, will provide a supportive environment where grade 8’s will have the opportunity to reaffirm their faith. The next Steps in Faith session will be held February 18th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm combined with a movie night at St. Mary’s Hall. Youth will have the opportunity to learn, interact and reflect with peers over pizza. All newcomers are welcome! Contact Maria Rogal for more information.

YOUTH MINISTERED MASS-FEBRUARY: Share your talents and gifts as we celebrate our monthly youth ministered Mass February 20th at the 11am Mass. Opportunity to be in the choir, a lector or gift bearer provides ample options to be involved. There is something for everyone and we want you to share your gifts! Muffins and juice will be served in the hall before at 10am with choir practice starting at 10:15am. Talk to Maria for more information.

HOCKEY NIGHT IN PLEASANT HILL-coming your way! Although it may seem far off, the time is approaching to go watch a good old hockey game. The tentative date is Friday March 11th. If you plan on attending please mark your calendars now! Remember, this is a parish event in which adult volunteers pick up children from their homes after school, we have a meal together and head off on a bus to a Blades hockey game. Twelve adult volunteers are needed to make this event possible. All volunteers must have a criminal record check to participate. Those volunteers who require a criminal record check, please contact the parish office for further information. Sign up sheets will be available at the back of the church closer to the event. For more information please contact Maria Rogal at the parish office.

DYG: I Wanna be a Rockstar! Friday, February 11th meet at Holy Family parish from 7-11pm for an epic Rock Band tournament. Come prepared with a band and your favourite song from Rock Band, 1, 2, 3, Lego, or Greenday! We will hear a powerful testimony of a gang member and drug addict who became a priest and celebrate Eucharistic Adoration! Everyone in gr. 8-12 is welcome and invited! Be sure to RSVP on facebook and to Maria, as rides need to be organized ahead of time! Be there!

SaskCath Youth Ministry Training Series: Saturday, April 9. SaskCath YMT is a series of workshops put on by Youth Ministry Offices of the dioceses and eparchy of Saskatchewan to help equip, train, empower, and encourage those involved in Youth Ministry. Details TBA.